As one of the best pets out there, cats are a pleasure to have, except that they can get a little pricey. Vet expenses, toys, cat litter and food add up. The following article will teach you what you need to know about caring for a bit less.
Prevent your cats from playing with drapery cords. Keep the cat away from these cords as they tend to form loops when the cat is playing around, and it could accidentally go around their neck and strangle them. This is an extreme choking hazard and should be prevented at all costs. Keep your drape cords pinned out of sight to prevent this.
Ensure that you groom your cat remains groomed.Cats have regular basis. This will keep them maintain a clean and aesthetically pleasing. It will also limit shedding and hairballs.
Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by coating exposed wires with bitter apple on them. If your cat still insists on chewing your cords, keep them covered as much as possible. You can do this by bundling them and tucking them in the cardboard rolls that come inside paper towels.
Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. Your cat should have a health check yearly, but should go in more if your cat needs shots. Don’t hesitate to take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice anything unusual about their health or if they are injured.
Your home furnishings can devastate your cat’s sharp claws. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, but will be worth the effort and expense.
Don’t allow your cat to get frequently bored. Cats need to play and play. Bored cats tend to develop depression and other harmful health conditions. Give them exercise space and a wide selections of toys. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching post.
Lessen the chances of your cat becoming harmed or killed by spraying all electric cords with something to keep them from chewing it. Bitter apple is a good choice and can be found at most pet stores. Cats who love to chew need to be kept away from cords. An inexpensive way to hide electrical cords is to thread them through used paper towel rolls. Electronic items with tasty-looking, thin cords (video game controllers, phone chargers, and so on) should be stored securely when you’re not using them.
Cats will often devote most of time to grooming. Hairballs are very common in long-haired cats.There are special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, which will help.
Cats are generally great with kids, but some younger children may be a bit too rough with cats. Make sure your child knows how cats should be handled. Teach them about appropriate activities are good and how to gentle pick your cat up. Cats have weaker bones than dogs so it is important to treat them with care.
Get a microchip for your cat. Your pet may be an indoor cat, but that doesn’t mean it’ll never dash through your door or slide outside via an open window. A collar and identification tags can help bring your pet back to you. But experts point out that collars that do not snap apart quickly if your cat gets it caught on a branch or even a bush can accidentally strangle your cat. Microchips are very small, approximately as large as a single grain of rice. Although they are small, they can hold your entire contact information. These days, pretty much all shelters and vet offices have scanners that can read these chips, and because they’re beneath your pet’s skin, they won’t ever get lost.
Do you happen to own both a dog and cats? Dogs will eat a cat’s food whenever the opportunity comes along. This is why it is necessary to have a feeding area for your cat that is too high for the dog to reach. This also has the effect of stopping fights over the water either after they’ve eaten all their food.
You may find it is helpful to talk to others about challenges you have with yours. Although you might want to take care of things on your own, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats.
Location is key when placing a litter box. Try and put it in an isolated area away from the cat bowl. Put it in a ventilated area to reduce odors. Both you and your pet will appreciate that.
Don’t think that you can teach the basics of using a cat to use its litter box. This will be something that the cat does on its own and it usually is not learned. Don’t try to force them into the box or face in it.
Brush your cat at regular basis.This will spread all of bacteria on the fur. It can help decrease the amount of loose hair they have. This can keep hairballs at bay because this can choke up a cat and their associated medical problems.
Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. These are very painful and expensive to treat. Feed cats food that’s low in magnesium. Consult the ingredient list. You will notice that fish-based foods and products are higher in levels of magnesium than anything sourced from poultry.
Litter Box
You should never punish a cat for not using the litter box.If this happens, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. Punishing the cat will make him afraid to be around you in the future.
If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. You may think it’s a good idea to listen to loud music on your stereo, but cats generally don’t enjoy this. Reduce the volume of the music and keep the windows up; let your cat rest!
Take time to make your cat to go into a car carrier. Cats never respond in the same way that dogs do. Encouragement is a better option. Place a blanket or favorite toy inside the carrier and let it stay open near the cat’s usual haunts. The cat will feel comfy.This takes the cat inside easier later.
Take your cat for vaccinations on a regular basis to keep him healthy and strong.Your cat needs these periodic checks and parasites.
When purchasing a tiny kitty as gift for the kids, it’s best to establish boundaries well ahead of the arrival. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. Knowing the rules ahead will help your child understand.
Pets can be pricy to care for and cats aren’t an exception. Cats require a lot of care, almost like an actual human child. You can reduce your expenses while still taking the best care for your kitten.